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Thursday, 15 March 2012

Finding that happy balance

This weekend was a major revelation for me. The clue is in the title. I really did figure out what writing meant.

I had a few things going on in life that I didn't understand, and I couldn't solve them by myself. They are things which will take time to solve, and aren't directly related to me (yet involve me. Yes I know it sounds complex - that's life for you). I wasn't feeling amazing, but I thought I'd try and write.

An hour and a bit later I was riding on the 'I've finished a chapter' endorphins. It was about then I had the epiphany. Writing makes me feel better.

Now that is a major discovery for me, especially at the moment when the ketamine infusion has worn off (boooo!). I deployed the tactic on Monday and Tuesday after work, and it worked stupendously. Old rule of only writing at certain times on certain days is out. I can write whenever I like, so long as I have the energy. Editing will be at set times on set days, because it requires a fair amount of energy which I have to regulate.

Alongside that, Tuesday I came home and thought of things for others which are on my agenda. But then I thought no. I could have done things for others, but the whole concept of me managing my time better is about placing me first. So I wrote one and a bit chapters. It felt amazing! By exploring the problems for my characters I felt better equipped with dealing with the lovely life curve balls I've got bouncing about.

Acting on the result of this epiphany meant I finished my fairy wip yesterday. I'm going to continue with my anime inspired wip this weekend. Today I've used a lot of brain energy at work (proofreading, which I do occasionally as part of my job), so no writing as brain is tired.

But writing productivity is up with very little disruption to my beta reading & book reviewing. I think I've found a happy balance.